Sunday, February 11, 2007
Mandrake
Pink Floyd meets Dead Can Dance meets Mahavishnu Orchestra minus the vocals...you have the Mandrake Project.
"This 6-piece band (of sorts) is composed of strange visitors, current (and past) members from several Pittsburgh bands as well as members of other interesting and influential national acts. The bizarre common thread among members is most certainly the projects repertoire. Each members scope of interest varies widely. There is no common goal for a sound, as the Mandrake Sound can take on many aspects of many styles while maintaining cohesion. It can be the soundtrack for many situations. Surprisingly, it all sounds like Mandrake regardless of the genre mish-mashing and member sharing. Even more puzzling is exactly whose playing what, and when they're playing it. The members tend to switch instrumentation within or between song structures creating a barrage of dynamic sonic interplay. Staple Mandrake sound is based largely around RHYTHM. The project relies heavily on drumming and percussion, sometimes with all 6 members convening to participate in group percussive numbers. The normal Mandrake setup exists with 2 drum kit players, 2 guitarists, violin, bass, Chapman Stick, and sampling/sequencing. This however, is subject to change at any given time."
It makes for one hell of a live experience. Even if its at little dingy Club Cafe on Carson st. All throughout their performance last night, I kept telling L "if only they had a vocalist." I like the fact that the next time I see them, they are likely to have some new addition to the crew which only means more experimental music.
"This 6-piece band (of sorts) is composed of strange visitors, current (and past) members from several Pittsburgh bands as well as members of other interesting and influential national acts. The bizarre common thread among members is most certainly the projects repertoire. Each members scope of interest varies widely. There is no common goal for a sound, as the Mandrake Sound can take on many aspects of many styles while maintaining cohesion. It can be the soundtrack for many situations. Surprisingly, it all sounds like Mandrake regardless of the genre mish-mashing and member sharing. Even more puzzling is exactly whose playing what, and when they're playing it. The members tend to switch instrumentation within or between song structures creating a barrage of dynamic sonic interplay. Staple Mandrake sound is based largely around RHYTHM. The project relies heavily on drumming and percussion, sometimes with all 6 members convening to participate in group percussive numbers. The normal Mandrake setup exists with 2 drum kit players, 2 guitarists, violin, bass, Chapman Stick, and sampling/sequencing. This however, is subject to change at any given time."
It makes for one hell of a live experience. Even if its at little dingy Club Cafe on Carson st. All throughout their performance last night, I kept telling L "if only they had a vocalist." I like the fact that the next time I see them, they are likely to have some new addition to the crew which only means more experimental music.
# posted by Surya Swamy : 10:42 AM
